Despite global status, Gilchrist is down to earth

SOMERDALE – For someone who sits at the pinnacle of scholastic basketball success, Michael Gilchrist is as humble and down to earth as they come.

His smile is infectious. At 16, he’s mild-mannered and enjoys spending time with his family and close friends just like any other teenager.

To him, he’s simply that – a teenager, nothing out of the ordinary. But at the same time, one who also realizes he’s been blessed to play the game of basketball.

Growing up in Somerdale, it’s been a natural part of his maturation. He had above-average size and ability at an early age, and that came shining through. But Gilchrist was never swallowed up by the process, his success didn’t change his personality.

In the mood to shoot the ball? Gilchrist will walk out his front door, cut through the grass and play in the street on the portable hoop sitting on the asphalt. He doesn’t need the hardwood or a glass backboard.

Despite all the accolades – Gilchrist is widely considered the No. 1 player in the country and recently returned from Germany as a member of USA Basketball’s U17 national team – playing basketball was and remains just something he does. He doesn’t know any different.

Simply put: It’s his being.

“For him, this is a life of normalcy,’’ said Cindy Richardson, Michael’s mother. “His whole focus is always on basketball. He doesn’t understand the magnitude of his sacrifices. If he has to explain it, it’s like `What’s the big deal?’ ’’

“He’s just a regular person, a brother to me. He doesn’t pay attention to any of that stuff,’’ said Winslow Township senior Shawn Valentine, who’s headed to Rider University.

But for those on the outside looking in, Michael Gilchrist is far from your average teen. He’s a prodigy, a star in the making if he’s not already there. He’s national and now a global player, someone every recruiter, scout and coach believes has the tools to go big-time – NBA style.

“I’m very blessed,’’ he said. “I know a lot of kids who are not in my position. I’m just blessed to be in this position. It’s been a lot of hard work for me.’’

Summer of fun

Gilchrist has seemingly been here, there and everywhere over the past weeks – his Summer of Fun Tour 2010, so to speak. It comes with the territory.

A 6-foot-7 forward at national powerhouse St. Patrick in Elizabeth, Gilchrist is ranked as top senior in the country by Rivals.com and ESPNU. He’s made a verbal commitment to attend the University of Kentucky.

He returned home last week after playing in the FIBA Under-17 World Basketball Championship and the Nike Peach Jam – a high-profile AAU tournament in South Carolina.

Aside from about a week when he had chicken pox, it was the first time in nearly a month that he could rest his head on that familiar pillow, play with the family dogs and just hang out.

“It was very different,’’ Gilchrist said. “The food was different, the culture was different. But it was just a blessing in general to be over there.

“International ball is really tough. It was all about confidence for me. It was really hard. It showed me I have to work on some things.’’

Going for gold

Gilchrist had 16 points and four rebounds as Team USA defeated Poland to win the gold medal in Hamburg. He came off the bench in the tournament, averaging 15 points and 7.3 rebounds in just under 20 minutes per game.

In the semifinals against Canada, Gilchrist had team-highs of 30 points and 15 boards.

“What I like about Michael is that he has the mindset that he’ll do whatever needs to be done to win a game,’’ said Team USA coach Don Showalter. “His game really developed as we made our way through the tournament – defensively and in making decisions.

“Michael was sensational at times. He’s one you could see get better and better.’’

It wasn’t until after receiving his medal that Gilchrist fully understood the magnitude of his situation. Up to that point, he was just playing ball with his friends – albeit, some very talented friends.

Up to that point, it was just basketball.

“I started to cry a little bit,’’ he said. “It wasn’t just for me. The medal wasn’t just for me. It was everybody – my mom, my best friend.

“It hit me … All the hard work. I realized how big it really was. That was a big deal.’’

Added Richardson: “It was just a game. Michael playing on this team really didn’t hit any of us at first. Then he called home. It was for his country. He said it was overwhelming, that he did it for his country and was really proud. That’s when it really hit us.’’

A learning process

Beginning in San Antonio for training camp, Gilchrist’s recent journey allowed him to use his passport for the first time. He’d played all over the U.S. but never overseas.

With USA Basketball, he went from Texas to Lithuania and finally to Germany. It was a two-week trip with no family members to help guide him along the way. Despite living in this Internet age, it was agreed upon in family meetings that communication would be limited.

This trip would be more than just about basketball.

“We knew about a year ago that he would be going,’’ Michael’s mother said. “Three or four months before the trip, we had a family meeting and decided he would go it alone.

“(Vince Richardson) Dad’s thought process was that he was about ready to go away to college. This will be the only opportunity he’ll have to spend time and rely on his college coaches and teammates.’’

Admittedly, Gilchrist got a little homesick. For someone who is still a teenager and that far out of his comfort zone, it’s certainly understandable. But there were some phone calls to help ease the pain.

“We talk to kids about being out of their comfort zone because things are so different than what they’re used to,’’ Showalter said. “Some were homesick, but it was kind of a long haul. They all handled it with such class and did a great job.

“I really got to enjoy Michael as a person. He grew up a lot being away from home. He’s an exciting kid, a very polite young man who never let his ego get in the way of what had to be done. He just loves to compete.’’

One more tourney

Gilchrist went straight from playing for his country to playing in the Nike Peach Jam in North Augusta, S.C for his AAU team (Team Final). After a couple of connecting flights, he arrived at his hotel on the second day of the tournament.

After what could be best described as a cat nap – getting to the hotel at 5 a.m. and playing four hours later – Gilchrist scored 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds. He followed that just a few hours later with 27 points, including the game-winning basket, and 15 rebounds in another victory.

Team Final was eliminated on Wednesday. Gilchrist had 26 points.

It was time to return home … and get some decent sleep.

Home, sweet home

Sitting at the kitchen table, Michael Gilchrist is as relaxed as he’s going to be. It’s finally time to take a break from all of the hoops, all of the attention, all of the celebrity that has become a part of who he is.

There probably won’t be a day when he doesn’t take some shots or work out in some capacity. But for the next few weeks, he’s going to take it easy – maybe the movies, some swimming, just hanging out.

When school rolls around in September, he’s going to be a senior. People are going to try to pull him in any number of directions. He’s going to face a new set of challenges and he’s going to have to make more decisions on his own.

Is he ready for that?

“Not really,’’ he said with a smile.

But …

“I want everybody to know that I’m going to make everyone proud.’’

About Kevin Minnick

A South Jersey resident for better than 30 years, I'm a strong
believer in family. With two sons, you'll find me pitching batting
practice from the spring through the fall, playing baseball in the yard and attending various games depending on the season. High school sports and all it encompasses - the kids, the coaches, the schools - is something I'm passionate about and it's my goal to provide readers with the most honest and objective reporting possible. In this day and age, covering high school sports goes way beyond Xs and Os.

About this Blog

A look at the South Jersey high school sports scene that goes beyond the Xs and Os with analysis and information you won't find in the boxscore.

The Varsity Insider

Kevin Minnick
A South Jersey resident for better than 30 years, I'm a strong believer in family. With two sons, you'll find me pitching batting practice from the spring through the fall, playing baseball in the yard and attending various games depending on the season. High school sports and all it encompasses - the kids, the coaches, the schools - is something I'm passionate about and it's my goal to provide readers with the most honest and objective reporting possible. In this day and age, covering high school sports goes way beyond Xs and Os. E-mail Kevin